Vitamin E
D-Alpha Tocopherol +

Supplementing with vitamin e will help as a therapeutic approach to mild hypertension with a measured dose of 400 to 800. This is a recommendation before drug intervention for blood pressure 140-160/90-104 mmHg by the authors of The Clinician`s Handbook of Natural Medicine. Why?

Despite the conclusions of the latest clinical trials that supplementing is of no benefit, we continue to reap the rewards of boosting them. What role does this particular group of compounds play in the health of the cardiovascular system and what source are we talking about that are responsible for our success? Let`s see.

An Antioxidant

To begin with, natural vitamin E is an array of lipid-soluble compounds. They are divided into 2 groups of 4 components, tocopherols alpha, beta, gamma, and delta; and tocotrienals alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Together they work as a powerful antioxidant in the body which protects tissue from oxidative damage. We are discussing the natural organic compounds not synthetic types which the latest peer reviewed scientific studies have based their findings on. For example, d-alpha-tocopherol is natural occurring, but dl-alpha-tocophero which was used in those clinical trials, is a synthetic type.

For the cardiovascular system this means that artery and vein walls are not so susceptible to free radical damage. Without getting too technical here, putting it as simply as I can, cholesterol laden macrophages are found at damaged sites to repair the tissue. Lipid soluable A-tocopherol reduces the free radical damage effect of Low Density Lipoprotien (LDL cholesterol) so wounds heal quickly and lessen the occurrence of atherosclerosis developing.

But note that not only A-tocopherol was at work here. Gamma tocopherol was also busy trapping and neutralizing existing free radicals. So at the least, two of the components were involved in the antioxidant effect.

Now current scientific studies are making a shift to researching the superior effects of tocotrienals in maintaining the health of arteries.

Read about Full Spectrum Supplements below

Food Sources

Which foods are high in content? Seeds and nuts and their oil have the highest amounts. Wheatgerm, the embryo of wheat seed is the highest source. It is high in potassium too so add it to you shopping list.

Vitamin E deficiency symptoms can arise if we are not eating a diet with sufficient amounts, or if there is something we are doing or consuming that is robbing us of it. A list of seeds, nuts and other foods that are an excellent source along with their content per 100g will be posted shortly to help you. So adding this page to your rss feed will keep you notified.

Full Spectrum Vitamin E Supplements

The best vitamin E supplements need to contain a full specturm of tocopherol and tocotrienal compounds working synergistically to bring health benefits. It helps stop the body loosing vitamin C another powerful antioxidant, so it makes sense to take them both together.

The RDI (RDA) for both males and female aged 31 – 70 is 15 mg. The therapeutic recommendations according to professional for nutritional needs and health circumstances range from 400 – 1200IU.

Caution:

  • Don`t take if you are taking anti-coagulant drugs like Aspirin, Coumadin, or Warfarin.
  • Don`t take at the same time as iron.
  • For high doses seek the direction of a qualified practitioner.